ORDER :

Anil K. Narendran, J.

This DBP is registered based on Report No.2 of 2024 of the learned Ombudsman in Petition No.12 of 2023 and Complaint Nos.217, 218, 234 and 235 of 2023. Petition No.12 of 2023 is one filed by the Travancore Devaswom Board seeking permission for enhancement of the rate of Chirappu Vilakku Vazhipadu of 18kg and 36kg oil at Sarkara Devaswom, which is under the management of the Travancore Devaswom Board. Paragraphs 19 and 20 of the report of the learned Ombudsman read thus:

“19. The rate was increased only in 2015. The proposed rates for the Muthalkoottu does not appear to be unreasonable warranting interference. However in the case of supplier cost it is a specific contention of the devotees that hitherto the practice followed was to receive the muthalkoottu amount and materials brought by them were received by the authorities. Now the devotees are prevented from bringing commodities required for the Vazhipadu and they also have to remit the entire amount Whether there is any justification for this or not is a matter for consideration, I would suggest that if there is a prevailing practice of accepting muthalkoottu after accepting the materials brought by th